One sentence summary – Elon Musk’s start-up, Neuralink, is recruiting participants for its first human trial of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, aiming to enable individuals with paralysis to control computer functions using their thoughts, with the trial holding promise for those affected by quadriplegia or ALS.
At a glance
- Neuralink is advancing in its mission to connect human brains to computers using brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
- The company has announced its recruitment drive for the first human trial of this technology, aiming to test the BCI implant on individuals with paralysis.
- Neuralink received FDA approval for its first human clinical trial, allowing the company to proceed with its plans.
- The trial involves surgically placing 64 flexible threads in a specific part of the brain responsible for controlling movement intention.
- Neuralink’s approach stands out due to its robotically assisted implantation procedure, offering precision and accuracy.
The details
Elon Musk’s start-up, Neuralink, is advancing in its mission to connect human brains to computers using brain-computer interface (BCI) technology.
The company has recently announced its recruitment drive for the first human trial of this groundbreaking technology.
The trial aims to test the BCI implant on individuals with paralysis, with the goal of enabling them to control computer cursors or type using their thoughts alone.
In May, Neuralink received FDA approval for its first human clinical trial, marking a significant milestone for the company.
This regulatory approval allows the company to proceed with its ambitious plans.
However, the exact number of participants for the trial has not been disclosed yet.
The trial procedure involves surgically placing 64 flexible threads, thinner than a human hair, in a specific part of the brain responsible for controlling movement intention.
Neuralink’s experimental N1 implant will then record and wirelessly transmit the brain signals to an app, which will decode the person’s intended movements.
Individuals with quadriplegia resulting from injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for participation in the trial.
This offers hope for people affected by these conditions and holds the potential to significantly improve their quality of life.
Neuralink faces competition in the field of BCI technology, with companies like Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience also working towards helping people with paralysis.
However, Neuralink’s approach stands out due to its robotically assisted implantation procedure.
This robotic assistance provides an advantage in terms of precision and accuracy during the implantation process.
Existing BCI devices have shown promising results in recent scientific studies, allowing individuals to communicate by decoding brain activity.
However, the effectiveness and long-term accuracy of Neuralink’s method for converting brain signals into useful actions compared to other companies remain uncertain.
Neuralink’s recruitment for its first human trial of brain-computer interface technology marks a significant step forward in their mission to connect human brains with computers.
With FDA approval secured, the trial aims to test the BCI implant’s ability to allow individuals with paralysis to control computer functions using their thoughts.
While competition exists in this space, Neuralink’s approach, combined with their robotically assisted implantation procedure, sets them apart.
The trial’s success could hold great promise for individuals affected by quadriplegia or ALS, potentially offering them newfound control and independence.
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| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – Elon Musk’s start-up Neuralink is recruiting people for its first human trial of its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. – |
| The goal of Neuralink is to connect human brains to computers and test the technology on people with paralysis. – |
| The BCI implant will allow participants to control a computer cursor or type using their thoughts alone. |
| – Neuralink received FDA approval for its first human clinical trial in May, a significant milestone for the company. – |
| The number of participants for the trial has not been disclosed. – |
| The trial will involve surgically placing 64 flexible threads, thinner than a human hair, on a part of the brain that controls movement intention. |
| – Neuralink’s experimental N1 implant will record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes the person’s intended movements. |
| – People with quadriplegia due to injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial. – Neuralink faces competition from other companies, such as Blackrock Neurotech and Precision Neuroscience, which also aim to help people with paralysis. |
| – |
| Existing BCI devices have shown promising results in recent scientific studies, allowing individuals to communicate by decoding brain activity. – |
| The implantation procedure used by Neuralink is robotically assisted, giving them an advantage in terms of implantation. – |
| The effectiveness and long-term accuracy of Neuralink’s method for converting brain signals into useful actions compared to other companies is still uncertain. |
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